A lifestyle change took place when we moved to our smallholding in Wales, we are leaving behind the consumerism of life, growing our food, raising our meat, living our lives to the full, enjoying every day the highs and lows of country living, but not going without just doing it better.

Pages

Monday, 9 March 2015

Willow

I put an order in with World of Willow I have been talking about growing some willow for some time, my order arrived

I liked the idea of having mixed packs

I got some for hedging/windbreaks and a selection for coppice's/fuel

The information and instructions that came with them are excellent

nicely presented and can be put in a file for future reference, not the usual scruffy bit of paper you get with mail order plants.

When they are cut down I plan to use the cuttings to increase stocks, I also fancy doing a living structure in the shape of a dome, but we will see.

I already have weed membrane it came free with the poly tunnel, I didn't intend using it in the tunnel as I will be planting into the ground but I wasn't going to refuse a freebie, it will be used for planting the willow through.

I have been getting the clumps of bamboo planted out that is also going to be a windbreak and the canes will be used in the garden, I had three different bamboo species, 2 of which stay green through the winter, they have been planted in an area were they wont invade growing areas.

All this planting is making visual changes to the land, lots of trees, hedges, windbreaks and fencing dividing the land

You'll be outside all day today I expect (I will be this morning). I have details of a basket-masking course for June, so think I will ask for that as my birthday present (that's April, so I will just have to wait!) I am sure that the willow will grow exceedingly well with you : )